Community

February was a very busy month for the students at Valcartier Elementary School!

The Cycle 3 class was busy fundraising for a trip they took to the Cosmodome in Montreal in January. The Cycle 3 class also participated in a Project Linus (making blankets for sick children) in January. They made 18 blankets for Project Linus.

I was thinking the other day about why we as a society love Hollywood action heroes and their movies so much. What is it about the Rocky Balboas, Rambos, Chuck Norrises, Terminators, James Bonds, Steven Segals, and so on, of this world that appeal to our visceral sense of fulfillment and catharsis?

We don't hear much out of Ottawa these days. That's because, as you know Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative government prorogued Parliament recently, in the hopes of taking the heat off of his beleaguered government.

The winter Olympics are not only athletic events, they also foster humane values. We see countries pull their strengths together for the success and well-being of their teams. We hear of communities join hands to support their athletes. We witness families and friends pay tribute to their loved ones. And finally, we admire our athletes dedicate themselves to their sport.

"In the olden days, he rode a horse and led the parade."
Marianna O'Gallagher doesn't expect her duties as Grand Marshal of the city's first Saint Patrick's Day parade in over 80 years to be quite so formal.

"I gather today it's an honorary title bestowed on someone the community likes."